Greetings!  |
 Father's Day is this weekend!
In a couple days, people all around the world, young and old, will take time to express their love and appreciation of their father (or perhaps a father figure who has stood in the place of an absentee father). The question on my mind is, are we emulating the traits of our Heavenly Father as we parent or just winging it? We may, at times, feel as though we're lucky to keep all our plates spinning. For sure we are only human and this is exactly the reason we need to look to God our Father for advice.
- In Ephesians we are told not to anger our children. Instead, train them and teach them the ways of the Lord as we raise them.
- In Matthew he says to love the Lord with all our heart and soul. But he doesn't stop there; he says we are to love our neighbor as (to the same degree) we love ourselves. Our children are our neighbors too and should be loved as we love ourselves.
- In 1stCorinthians 13 (the love chapter) we're reminded that love is both patient and kind, it is not rude. Sounds like fruit of the Holy Spirit to me. If we follow after Christ and the Holy Spirit resides within us then it should be our goal to extend the same fruits of the spirit to our children.
- In Luke 11 we can find confidence that when we ask God for His Holy Spirit he does not withhold. Expanding on that thought; if we ask for wisdom in parenting our children he will give that too. Because he said he would withhold no good thing. And all good things come from above.
So in conclusion, whether we are weak or strong as fathers; the best or not so good at parenting, He gives us these four points of guidance (and many more besides). My prayer for myself and for you would be that we each remember to apply biblical principles in the parenting of our children or mentoring of the fatherless.
God Bless You!
Mark Benz
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." |
Become an Epal Mentor Today! 
At Bykota House our mission is to protect the children from exploitations and raise them up in the knowledge and honor of Jesus Christ. Each one of us with IOA and Bykota House teach and mentor our kids at every opportunity. We'd like to ask you, to consider becoming a mentor via an Epal relationship. Our kids wonder what their father might say to them, it fills them with so many conflicting emotions and thoughts. Please consider writing a little loving note to one or more of the kids today. Drop a note to one or all, today. Becoming an Epal with one of our Bykota Kids is easy! Just use this address, epal@bykotahouse.org and put the child's name in the subject line. If you aren't yet matched please tell us the gender and age range, we'll match you to a child who is waiting for a mentor. After you write the first letter we will help the child read your letter and compose their own reply.
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Current Needs
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- 15 Plastic chairs for Tuesday nights small group meetings $90
- 3 flat-screen monitors for school classrooms. $269 each
- Four new monthly sponsors of rent for the boy's house. $50
If you would like to sponsor one of these listed needs please email or make your donation online.
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Volunteer 
Before I left home for Cambodia
a friend of mine said this year would be like Toblerone chocolate bar, with high points, low points and those extra special sweet nutty bits. |
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Prayer Points - Favor as we renew our project agreement in the coming month.
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Thank you for walking this journey with us. We thank you for your support in all ways...your friendship, your prayers, and your financial support. We pray that God's blessing be upon you. We love you all!
Until next time from Cambodia,
Sincerely,
Mark and Rhonda Benz
International Orphan Aid
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